FIRE STOPPING AND FIRE ALARMS FAQS
As with fire doors, fire stopping plays an important part of the passive fire protection in a building.
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To ensure continued fire resistance between compartments, walls or floors, openings for timber beams, joists, purlins and service penetrations that pass through any part of a fire-separating element should be fire-stopped. This is achieved using various methods and products including mastics, sealants, intumescent gap seals, pipe collars and fire curtains.
What is ‘compartmentation’ ?
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Compartmentation is another important element of fire safety. It is used to create a fire-resistant barrier which prevents fire and smoke travel through a building which could, if left unstopped endanger the lives of occupants and firefighters alike. It will also help contain a fire to the seat of origin causing less damage to the building.
The most common areas where fire stopping is required are plant rooms, lift motor rooms, risers and openings above cross corridor fire doors.
When choosing passive fire protecting products, it is important to ensure that they have been tested to the relevant and current British standard: for example, BS476: 1987 (Fire tests on building materials and structures) Part 20 (Method for determination of the fire resistance of elements of construction – general principles) and Part 22 (Methods for determination of the fire resistance of non-loadbearing elements of construction).
FIRE ALARM & DETECTION FAQS
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Through partner companies we are able to assist clients with all aspects of fire alarm and detection systems protecting residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
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From survey, supply and installation through to testing, commission and maintenance Compliance London Ltd offers a one stop shop for all our client’s needs. The main standard for fire alarm systems is BS5839 pt1:2017 (for commercial and industrial properties) and BS 5839 pt6:2013 (new and existing dwellings).